What Happened in 2013: Heaney really stepped forward in 2013, jumping from a “wait and see” college arm to a bona fide high-end prospect, pitching his way to the Double-A level in his first full season.

Strengths: Athletic and fluid delivery; good balance and tempo; arm works well; fastball is creeper pitch in the low-mid-90s; good deception in the delivery allows it to jump on hitters; velo ticks up deep into games; can touch 96+ when he needs it; slider is plus offering; multiple looks; can throw in the zone or chase; good vertical depth; turns over an average changeup; could play above average; repeats with good command profile.

Weaknesses: Needs to add strength to frame; fastball can play down early in games; will work 89-93 with some arm-side; slider can get too slurvy and loose; changeup has some vertical dive but lacks high projection; good control; command still needs refinement; can hang around the plate too much.

Bret Sayre’s Fantasy Take: Heaney is going to be the next prospect to take advantage of the Marlins’ team philosophy on promoting players quickly and is likely to have some real fantasy value in 2014. He should be a very even fantasy performer, contributing nearly equally in all four categories. With the ballpark behind him and weak division in front of him, he can put up a 3.25 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 170 strikeouts at peak.

The Year Ahead: Heaney is the top lefty starter prospect in the minors, with three average or better offerings and an athletic and fluid delivery that allows for strike-throwing ability. The fastball can play up or down, and the slider is both a chase pitch and a get-over offering when he needs to drop a strike. The changeup isn’t a big weapon yet, but offers enough to keep righty bats honest with the fastball, and as the fastball controls continues to refine into command, Heaney will be able to keep hitters from both sides of the plate off balance. It’s a very nice profile, and several sources think Heaney has the stuff and polish to start in the majors in 2014. Even if he doesn’t break camp with the team, it won’t be long until the 22-year-old joins Jose Fernandez in the Marlins rotation.

Major league ETA: 2014

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